Kamado Joe Classic Joe Series II 18-inch Ceramic Charcoal Grill and Smoker with Cart, Side Shelves, Stainless Steel Grates and…
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Amazon rating
Amazon aggregate, one input among many in the Verdict Score
Based on 2 trusted sources
Current price
$1,199.99
Updated Jun 27, 2026 · 1 min read
Sources behind this verdict
10 reviewers weighted by source trust
The consensus
What reviewers found
Synthesized across the trust-weighted source mix below.
Across the reviewers we read, the Kamado Joe Classic II is the consensus premium ceramic cooker for buyers who want one grill that sears, bakes and smokes. High-trust amazingribs.com describes it as a well-crafted ceramic cooker that presents strong competition to other 18-inch models in the premium market, and high-trust r/smoking and r/BBQ threads repeatedly highlight that it can hold 225°F for 10-12 hours without adding fuel. Its Divide & Conquer multi-tier system draws specific praise as the most flexible cooking setup among the kamados reviewers compared.
What reviewers liked
- amazingribs.com rates it strong competition in the premium ceramic class
- High-trust communities report rock-steady 10-12 hour low-and-slow temps
- Divide & Conquer multi-level system praised as the most versatile cooking setup
- 4.7-star average across 959 Amazon reviews
Where it falls short
- r/KamadoJoe owners report the factory dome thermometer can read well off-true
- Heavy, fragile ceramic body that is hard to move
- Some community members say the cheaper Classic I cooks identically for less
- Reviewers often buy a second grate to get the most out of it
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Across the reviewers we read, the Kamado Joe Classic II is the consensus premium ceramic cooker for buyers who want one grill that sears, bakes and smokes. High-trust amazingribs.com describes it as a well-crafted ceramic cooker that presents strong competition to other 18-inch models in the premium market, and high-trust r/smoking and r/BBQ threads repeatedly highlight that it can hold 225°F for 10-12 hours without adding fuel. Its Divide & Conquer multi-tier system draws specific praise as the most flexible cooking setup among the kamados reviewers compared.
The honest caveats are real. An r/KamadoJoe owner reports the factory dome thermometer can read significantly off (one cited 50°C of error) and caused overcooking until corrected, so reviewers recommend verifying with a separate probe. Others note the out-of-the-box single grate setup is fine but that serious cooks end up buying a second grate, and the ceramic body is heavy and breakable.
A recurring price-versus-value thread is worth flagging: several r/KamadoJoe posters argue the older Classic I is a steal at current prices and that food tastes identical, so the Classic II's upgrades (latch, vent, gasket) are about convenience rather than results. The 4.7-star average across 959 Amazon reviews supports the overall positive consensus.
- Premium 18″ Ceramic Grill with Cast Iron Cart & Locking Wheels – The Kamado Joe Classic II gives the perfect cooking size of 18 inches along with its Premium cart that comes with the purchase of your grill, including locking casters and wheels.
- 2-Tier Divide & Conquer - Divide & Conquer Flexible Cooking System transforms the humble grill grate into the most powerful cooking tool in your arsenal. The revolutionary multi-level, half-moon design frees you to cook different foods in different styles at different temperatures—all at the same time
- Kontrol Tower Top Vent - Maintains consistent air setting for precise airflow management during dome opening and closing. Constructed of powder coated cast aluminum, the patent pending dual-adjustment top vent is rain resistant and allows you to smoke from 225F all the way to searing at 750F.
- Air Lift Hinge – The air lift hinge significantly reduces dome weight. The grill dome can be lifted with a single finger giving the most comfortable grilling experience there is.
- AMP (Advanced Multi-Panel) FireBox – The patent pending six-piece design eliminates breakage and increases grill efficiency.
I own the classic II and my word of advice is make sure your thermometer on the outside of the grill is accurate. Mine was off by 50C and caused overcooking ...
At the current prices the classic 1 is a steal! The food isn't going to taste any different because the lid is harder/easier to open. Get the 1 ...
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“Kamado Joe Classic II Review” · YouTube
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